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Bacillus anthracis contamination and inhalational anthrax in a mail processing and distribution center
W T Sanderson1, R R Stoddard, A S Echt
1The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|April 14, 2004
Summary
Anthrax spores contaminated a mail facility, spreading widely from a sorting machine. This contamination correlated with worker illness, guiding decontamination and prevention strategies for bioterrorism agents.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Bioterrorism preparedness
Background:
- Four cases of inhalational anthrax occurred in a Washington, DC mail processing center in 2001.
- The cases were linked to the processing of envelopes containing Bacillus anthracis spores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent and spatial distribution of Bacillus anthracis spore contamination.
- To inform decontamination efforts and guide future prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Environmental sampling using wet swabs, wet wipes, vacuum socks, and air filters.
- Collection of samples throughout the mail processing and distribution center.
Main Results:
- Widespread Bacillus anthracis spore contamination was detected within the facility.
- Contamination was concentrated around a specific delivery bar code sorter (DBCS) machine and postal worker handling areas.
- Spore concentrations decreased with distance from the primary contamination source but were widely dispersed.
Conclusions:
- The spatial distribution of contamination supported epidemiological findings linking worker illness to spore exposure.
- Findings guided decontamination efforts and established baseline spore levels for post-cleaning assessments.
- Recommendations included implementing dust control measures to minimize worker exposure to bioterrorism agents.
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